The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-09-07
The National Convention Assemblies For t'
Animal Conference.
Strong Opposition to the Use Of the English
Language in Their Services.
The Knights Of Labor Warmly DsnouEcad in
Resolution Presented.
The Conventions Work FnirIy Begun-At-
tempt to Rule Out Report Written
in EnsIish-NIinor Matters.

CHICAGO, September 5.-The first busi-
ness session of the German Roman Catho-
iic Central Union OF America, was opened
this morning in st. MicbaePs Hail. with
prayer by the Rev. VIM. Tappert, of
CoVlngtop, Ky, who is by long odds the
leading tpirit in the gathering. There
were about three hundred delegates pres
ent and all the available room on the main
floor and in the gallery was occupied by
people who came to witness the proceed
ings President Spaunhorst, of Detroit,
made an address of greeting to the dele
gates. He claimed that the attitude of the
German Catholics toward other
nationalitles had been misrepresented and
false reports circulated. In his opinion
the German Catholics recognized no dis
tinction OF nationalities. No national
question ever came up in their meetings.
On the questions at issue between the Irish
and the German Catholics the church alone
had authority to decide. He asked the
delegates to use no hard expressions
against other natioDalities, The Germans
in America were Obliged to preserve the
German language in their schools. On ac-
count of that they had been reproached
with trying to Germanize America. That
charge was unjust. The Germans were
true followers of the church and under
stood its teachings. Charges OF that
kind should be treated with contempt.
Mr.. Spsunh orst denied the truth of the
report that he ever said tbat they would
insist upon the German language in spite
of the Bishops. He concluded
by coDgratulaaDg the German
Catholics upon the growth of their socie-
ties and advised that each benevolent soci
ETY. have fund to be used for the relief of
Workingmen in distress.
DENoUECIEG THE KNIGHTS.
After the appointment OF committees
Mr.. George Mielch, of st. Paul, intro
duced resolution of which the following
is translation:
"Whereas-The so-called Knights OF La
Dor come forth from day to day with thsir
talk for the purpose of helping the work
means and trampling law and order under
foot, and try to destroy scrip
tural faith, therefore be it hereby
Resolved, That We urge all Catholic
working people to keep away from said
societies, for according to our experience
such company is not advisable for CathO-
lie working people; for where prohibi-
tionists, anarchists and socialists assemble
to consult about the welfare OF mankind,
there should not be found any German
Catholic workipgmen. In order TO pro-
tect the good name of German Catholic
Societies from all injury, all societies
should be exhorted not to recesve in
I0SH ulOst any h0lSubS VI LdDOTt duO
such as are already In them should be IN
dured to leave said Order of the Knights
OF Labor"
Nj Mielch spoke in support of this res
olution. He claimed that the knights of
Labor had demoralizing iDhHeDce upon
the German workingmen. He failed TO
see any difference between the Knights of
Labor and other socialist and prohibition
lists societies. He was sorry to see that
m6nU freFmRng at nreEpnt mann hers
of an order the leaders of which had sd-
dressed a petition 10 Congress against
German immigration, while Mr.. PoWdery
had openly shown himself TO be a Prohi-
bilonist and enemy of the Germans.
The entire order of the knights of Labor
was governed by Irishmen. The Germans
ought 10 consider il disgrace to be ru ed
by Irish igsoramuses. The remarks were
received with applause.
Friedrich Arendes, of ST. Louis, moved
to lay the resolution on the table but was
voted down, all but two or three delegates
voting against him. The resolution was
referred 10 the committee on labor matters.
DR. Tappert submitted q resolution re-
quiring all the societies in every city to
meet every six months for the purpose of
discussing social questions and other mat
tiers of importance. The resolution was re-
ferred.
Before recess thirtv-two new societies
were admitted to the Union.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
At the opening of the afternoon session
dispatch was Tesd in reply to one sent
lsat week to the Catholic convention of
Germany, now in session at Trier. The
reply was signed by the chairmrn of the
convention, and reminded the German
American Catholics that, although the
ocean intervened their brethren in were
bound to them by one common faith and
comIadeship In the battle of the Llrd,
Three hearty cheers were given for the
Catholics of Germany.
An interesting question of principle"
was raised when a report from society OF
New Orleans was read, which VS. written
in the English language. OOlectio was
made to receiving it on that account, and
DIR. Tappert again came forward and
moved that the Secretary be instructed to
find ont whether or not the German
language was employed as the ofic. al
medium OF that society, and If not thAt
The Secretary notify the society that the
Central Union receive no reports from
eDch as did not employ the German
Language exclusively. All this was to be
done in spirit ana tone OF brotherly love,
but il must be insisted upon, the reverend
gentleman said, as it was a question of
principle, and not an inch should be
yielded. He wanted to have the matter
settled at once, but it was referred 10 the
Committee on Constitution. As fitting
conclusion 10 the days proceeding cable
gram was ordered sent to Pope Leo, con-
graduating him upon his approaching ju-